Need suggestions for upgrading an existing PC

[dieselcat18]

Hello all,

As stated above, I'm planning on upgrading a major portion my existing PC system and need some advice on which direction I should take.

Current specs listed below for my 775 LGA socket system on the left :

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550@3.5GHz / AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ 2.4Ghz
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X48-DS4/ GIGABYTE GA-K8NSNXP-939 socket
Cooling: Zalman CNPS9700 110mm CPU Cooler / CM Hyper N520
Memory: G.Skill 8GB (4x2GB) DDR2 1066 (PC28500) 5-5-5-15@2.1v/ G.Skill 4GB DDR PC3200 400MHz 2.5CL
Video Card(s): Sapphire Radeon HD 6970 2GB/ ATi X800 XT PE 256mb
Hard Disk(s): WD Caviar SE16 640GB 7200rpm SATA (x 2) in Raid 0 / Acomdata 500GB external HHD/ WD Raptor 10K 150GB
Optical Drive: LITE-ON 20X DVD dual layer burner w/ lightscribe/ ASUS 24X dual layer burner
LCD/CRT Model: HP LP2465 1920x1200 S-PVA Panel/LG Flatron 20.1/ HP LP2465 1920x1200 S-PVA Panel
Case: Lian Li (Lancool) PC-K63 / BMW Aluminum Mid-Tower
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro/ Sound Blaster Audigy2 Z5
Power Supply: COUGAR-SX850 850W 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular/ Corsair 400w 80 plus certifed psu
Software: Windows Vista Ultimate X64 (retail) w/ SP-2/ Windows XP Pro w/ SP-3

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1) Should I move to a Z97 setup or a Z170 ?

2) I'm planning to upgrade and any suggestions for high-end parts for the components listed here would be appreciated.
cpu, MB, memory (if needed), cpu water cooling, case (mid or full)

3) components I already have (all are new and unused)
ASUS r2 290x (already installed and will use in the upgrade and may go to a dual gpu setup in the future))

Mushkin (not currently installed) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226275

SSD (not currently installed) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA3FA2EV1099

SSD (not currently installed (2) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104483

OS (not currently installed) Windows 7 Pro x64 full retail version

HDD (not currently installed) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136544

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ok...I think that's about it, I may have forgotten one or two things, but most info should be complete.
A mention of my current PSU (Cougar SX850w)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817553006

It runs very solid and has never failed for the last 4+ years. Any thoughts on this component whether I should keep or upgrade on it ?

Budget concerns are not an issue which direction I should decide on moving into a Z97 or Z170 platform. Just looking for the best suggestions on components I'll need to be upgrading.
I am partial to Gigabyte MB's and would like to stay with more of the high end parts to maximize gaming, which will be the main function here.

Thanks for any and all input.

 

[RealNeil]

Z97 works well, but I would get the newest gear out now. Z170 has a lot of advantages and it's worth it to get.

Your PSU looks OK to me.

The i5 Skylake CPU is a capable gamer, but depending on your usage, you may want the i7 instead.

 

[MIRTAZAPINE]

Have you considered an x99 platform with the 5820k? The price is about the same between the 6700k cpu and 5820k. You get more pcie lanes on the x99 and 2 extra cores for the 5820k.

 

[dieselcat18]

Z97 works well, but I would get the newest gear out now. Z170 has a lot of advantages and it's worth it to get.

Your PSU looks OK to me.

The i5 Skylake CPU is a capable gamer, but depending on your usage, you may want the i7 instead.

The cost between the i5 and i7 isn't really an issue... the most I'll be doing on this system is day to day common work stuff, plus (mail, streaming music, movies and gaming). I may add a 2nd gpu, that was my concern for the power supply. I am leaning toward the Z170 chipset, just because it's newer tech and will have a longer life span left.

Any suggestions on specific brands of components I'll be adding ?.............thxx for the input.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Have you considered an x99 platform with the 5820k? The price is about the same between the 6700k cpu and 5820k. You get more pcie lanes on the x99 and 2 extra cores for the 5820k.

I did consider that but would I really need all that power for what I'm using this for ? I hear what you saying about price and I mentioned that's not a huge factor here, but I don't want to get carried away either.

Do you think factoring in the added cost of a x99 MB and additional memory (Tri-lane?) might be too much since I'm not using this for anything really intensive other than gaming and fairly simple tasks ? Other than maybe adding a 2nd gpu for gaming purposes, which I'm not even sure that I will, those extra pci-e lanes might just go to waste on me. (though triple SLi or crossfire X would be so cool..........

Thxxx

 

[GorbazTheDragon]

Go with a 6600k or 6700k, decent Z170 mobo, will give you a lot of good storage options, wouldn't really recommend X99 unless you are doing video production. Probably good option for the PSU would be a ~1kw unit. EVGA G2, Seasonic X or XP3, Corsair AX/HXi/RMi are all good options, they sit around the $150-$200 mark.

 

[Ebo]

I would go fore the X99 platform, since price is almost the same. You get more of everything fore just a bit more money than a I7-6700K. The platform is more mature, you get extra pci-e lanes for SLI/xfire, and from my own experience, it just works.
It might cost you a little bit more money, but it can do so much more, depending on which Mb you choose.

 

[peche]

The cost between the i5 and i7 isn't really an issue... the most I'll be doing on this system is day to day common work stuff, plus (mail, streaming music, movies and gaming). I may add a 2nd gpu, that was my concern for the power supply. I am leaning toward the Z170 chipset, just because it's newer tech and will have a longer life span left.

Any suggestions on specific brands of components I'll be adding ?.............thxx for the input.

intel i7 6700K,
Gigabyte Z170 UD5 motherboard, also Gaming 5 or 7 are excellent boards,
Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming, if money is not a problem you can get a Gigabyte GTX 980 or 980Ti G1 Gaming Card!
Kingston Hyper X Fury 2x8GB DDR4 kit,

that Psu is Ok,
also the case and all the parts you already have,

x99 is a little bit high priced, boards and processors...both uses DDR4, so the old ram wont work...

 

[dieselcat18]

peche,

Thanks for the suggestions. I like the components you've mentioned here. I was considering the X99 platform, but agree with you it's pricey and a bit overkill for my needs.

I've been using Gigagyte MB's for some time now (current board running rock solid since '08) and have the UD5 and the Gaming 7 as two possible choices to go with and they are both in the price range I'd like to stay in.

I wanted to go with an Nvidia gpu, but already have an ASUS r2 290x (that I way overpaid for at the time all that bit-coin BS was going on) Maybe looking into cross-fire-x it now that I might be able to get a similar card cheap. Or I may just sell the 290x and use that money for a 980ti and stay single GPU ?

I like the Kingston memory, so I'll look into what they offer for DDR4. As for the chip, I was thinking the i5 6600K, but spending the extra cash for a i7 6700K isn't an issue. I may as well just spring for that.

Lastly, any suggestions on a really good mid or full tower case that works well for cpu water cooling ? Suggestion on cpu water coolers (Corsair, Cooler Master, NZXT) ? I really like the case I have currently, but want to upgrade to something more current and compatible for water cooling.

Hoping I can grab some good deals on the upcoming Black Friday next month to start this new build.

Again, thxxx for your input, greatly appreciated.

 

[peche]

peche,

Thanks for the suggestions. I like the components you've mentioned here. I was considering the X99 platform, but agree with you it's pricey and a bit overkill for my needs.

I've been using Gigagyte MB's for some time now (current board running rock solid since '08) and have the UD5 and the Gaming 7 as two possible choices to go with and they are both in the price range I'd like to stay in.

I wanted to go with an Nvidia gpu, but already have an ASUS r2 290x (that I way overpaid for at the time all that bit-coin BS was going on) Maybe looking into cross-fire-x it now that I might be able to get a similar card cheap. Or I may just sell the 290x and use that money for a 980ti and stay single GPU ?

I like the Kingston memory, so I'll look into what they offer for DDR4. As for the chip, I was thinking the i5 6600K, but spending the extra cash for a i7 6700K isn't an issue. I may as well just spring for that.

Lastly, any suggestions on a really good mid or full tower case that works well for cpu water cooling ? Suggestion on cpu water coolers (Corsair, Cooler Master, NZXT) ? I really like the case I have currently, but want to upgrade to something more current and compatible for water cooling.

Hoping I can grab some good deals on the upcoming Black Friday next month to start this new build.

Again, thxxx for your input, greatly appreciated.

we are here to help each other lad!

as advice there are a few watercoolers that does not requiere that much space, also mine AIO is a little unit,
Thermaltake water 3.0 pro, takes the rear exhaust 120mm fan place of the chasis, and is pretty good unit, have been running for a year on my delidded i7! no problems so far,
for case sugestion ui may recomend the one that i want, thermaltake Corev51 awesome chasis!
i dont like corsair nor NZXT, there are a few options for coolermaster cases and coolers,

also i have been looking this kit too!



PD: i ♥ thermaltake hardware!

Regards,

 

[dieselcat18]

Nice case, I'll give both those a look....thanks again

 

[peche]

Nice case, I'll give both those a look....thanks again

welcome!

 

[micropage7]

hahaha... water cooling is good but i just cant stand of thinking it would leak somewhere
btw why dont you put SSD in your list? keep that hdd for data and SSD for applications

 

[dieselcat18]

Thanks for your reply, though I'm not sure I understand. I suppose there may always be the chance of a leak when considering water cooling but I think many of the water cooling components offered today seem pretty well engineered to prevent this from happening, so I don't really have a problem or concern about that.

I have several SSD's, that are new in box, I'm planning to use that I mentioned in my original
post.

Still looking for more suggestion on water cooling and a case that works well with that.


Again, thxxx for your input.

 

[dieselcat18]

Just posting back with an update. First, thanks for all the input on whether I should move to a z97, x99 or z170 build.

I decided to go with the z170 due to it being newer tech and have ordered my new system parts, of which I received the MB, cpu and memory. Though I RMA'ed the MB due to Newegg sending me an open box, not new.

Now just waiting on the case ( Phanteks Evolv Mid-tower) and ordering tomorrow a NZXT Kracken X61 AIO cpu cooler. I'll use all the remaining parts from my old PC to finish the build.

Again, thanks to everyone's input and suggestions, it was appreciated.

Happy Thanksgiving all

 

[peche]

pretty proud .... reusing is always excellent option, also the parts you chose are great... let us know how is going with it... or make a build log with epic pics lad!

Regards,

 

[dieselcat18]

pretty proud .... reusing is always excellent option, also the parts you chose are great... let us know how is going with it... or make a build log with epic pics lad!

Regards,

Will do...I'll photo all the parts together once all the other parts are here before I unbox everything and during the build. Coming from an Intel based LGA 775 socket, built back around '07, to this is a huge upgrade for me and I'm very excited to experience the results since this will be the most high end system I've ever assembled.

btw...I almost went for the TT Corev51 chassis you recommended. That was a really nice case but decided to go with the Phantek Evolv. For an Aluminum and Steel case at that price with it's water cooling friendly design, I couldn't resist.

As for the Kracken, I'm new to this AIO water cooling. Any suggestions on radiator placement ( top or front) and push/pull, intake or exhaust configs, which are best ?
Also, any thoughts on custom cabling ?.....I think I want to try and get that really clean cable mgmt and color coordinated look inside the case.

My wife chipped in for the x61, said that was my Christmas present. I thought she would be really pissed about me doing this upgrade but said I have gone quite a while without making any changes so she's good with it....I owe her big time !

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Final build
New parts :
i7 6700K
Gigabyte G1 Gaming GA-Z170X-Gaming 7 MB
G Skill TridentZ series 16GB DDR4 3400
Phantek Evolv mid-tower
Kracken x61 AIO cpu cooler
SSD : Intel 730 Series 480GB
SSD : Samsung 840 Pro Series 512GB
WD Black 640GB 64mb HHD
LG External CD/DVD Rewriter (case has no optical bays in it)
Windows 7 Pro
__________________________________________________________

Reusing Existing parts :
Cougar 850w silver modular psu
ASUS r2 290X gpu
(Would have use my existing case which is still really nice, but went with the new one)
__________________________________________________________

Existing Accessories :
Benq 27" 120hz
MS Sidewinder X4
SteelSeries Sensei Raw
SteelSeries Qck Heavy mouse pad
Sennheiser PC360 (Have a Sound Blaster Z I may use, but want to try the onboard sound)
Logitech 5.1 speakers

 

[peche]

but why replacing old case? and not most parts...?

your rig i guess:
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550@3.5GHz /
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X48-DS4/ G
Cooling: Zalman CNPS9700 110mm CPU Cooler /
Memory: G.Skill 8GB (4x2GB) DDR2 1066 (PC28500) 5-5-5-15@2.1v/
Video Card(s): Sapphire Radeon HD 6970 2GB/
Hard Disk(s): WD Caviar SE16 640GB 7200rpm SATA (x 2) in Raid 0 / A
Optical Drive: LITE-ON 20X DVD dual layer burner w/ lightscribe/
LCD/CRT Model: HP LP2465 1920x1200 S-PVA Panel/LG Flatron 20.1/
Case: Lian Li (Lancool) PC-K63 /
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro/
Power Supply: COUGAR-SX850 850W 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular/
Software: Windows Vista Ultimate X64 (retail) w/ SP-2/

you can reuse:

Hard Disk(s): WD Caviar SE16 640GB 7200rpm SATA (x 2) in Raid 0 / A
Optical Drive: LITE-ON 20X DVD dual layer burner
Case: Lian Li (Lancool) PC-K63
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro/
Power Supply: COUGAR-SX850 850W 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular/

and add SSD's and that video card you listed...

Spoiler: correct if wrong... your current case?

 

[dieselcat18]

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Yes, that's it...really nice case. Big for a Mid-Tower. Came stock with 5 fans (4x140 and 1x120, 3/blue LED). Just wanted something a little different and designed for water cooling in mind.

I'll probably sell this one, though I have become very fond of it and wanted to keep it but decided to move to something different and a little more high-end.

I'll be keeping and reusing the 2 WD Blue HDD drives along with the WD Black, which has never been used but I've had for a while.

The SB X-Fi sound card is defective and the SB Z card will prob go into my wife's PC since the onboard sound of this MB is suppose to be really good, but I'll see how that works out.

All in all the only parts that I just purchased were the MB, cpu, ram, case, water cooler and external CD/DVD. Everything elses was already in use or I've had unused for some time here...My closet looks like a shop for new and used computer parts, need to clear it out.

If you have any ides, still can use a suggestion on a install configuration for that x61 water cooler.

 

[Ebo]

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Yes, that's it...really nice case. Big for a Mid-Tower. Came stock with 5 fans (4x140 and 1x120, 3/blue LED). Just wanted something a little different and designed for water cooling in mind.

I'll probably sell this one, though I have become very fond of it and wanted to keep it but decided to move to something different and a little more high-end.

I'll be keeping and reusing the 2 WD Blue HDD drives along with the WD Black, which has never been used but I've had for a while.

The SB X-Fi sound card is defective and the SB Z card will prob go into my wife's PC since the onboard sound of this MB is suppose to be really good, but I'll see how that works out.

All in all the only parts that I just purchased were the MB, cpu, ram, case, water cooler and external CD/DVD. Everything elses was already in use or I've had unused for some time here...My closet looks like a shop for new and used computer parts, need to clear it out.

If you have any ides, still can use a suggestion on a install configuration for that x61 water cooler.

Just remember once you go Lian Li, nothing else out there will satisfy you, take it from me, been there done that. Mabye Silverstone, NZXT, but that it and their highend cases also costs a bundle. I have a custom made Lian LI a PC-50R which is the only one in the world, that one set me back 1500 dollars in 2010, but it does its job even today.

 

[wolar]

well , you won't need the 5820k for now but if you plan on geting a 6700k then why not the 5820k ?
Motherboard price is about the same and ram price is same it's just that its recommented to go for 4x4 to get advantage of the quad channel.
But you don't really need it seems.
For power supply i would change it, not because it's a bad unit but it got old , and PSU's do have a life span which you don't want to cross with new system .

 

[dieselcat18]

Again, thank you all for your imput. Have just received all the new parts (though I had to send back the MB due to Newegg shipping an open box item instead of a new sealed one) Should be receiving that soon.
As soon as I get the MB back I'll start the build and post pics of the finished system. It's been a very long time since my last major PC build, very excited !

Photos of all new parts for Skylake build :

 

[RealNeil]

Nice parts. It will be a good PC.

 

[XSI]

i7 6700K
Gigabyte G1 Gaming GA-Z170X-Gaming 7 MB
G Skill TridentZ series 16GB DDR4 3400
Phantek Evolv mid-tower
Kracken x61 AIO cpu cooler
SSD : Intel 730 Series 480GB
SSD : Samsung 840 Pro Series 512GB

can i say i'm little jealous .....

 

[ASOT]

I would go fore the X99 platform, since price is almost the same. You get more of everything fore just a bit more money than a I7-6700K. The platform is more mature, you get extra pci-e lanes for SLI/xfire, and from my own experience, it just works.
It might cost you a little bit more money, but it can do so much more, depending on which Mb you choose.

U make me laugh..and so u add alot of money into a PC,not to mention is capable to SLI also with Z170,othe than quad sli ..but is sily that
Like linustechtips & other's ..always to have(chose) good GPU than lower and SLI'it or put then in Quad ..waste of money
2x 980Ti are enough for 4k..

 

[Jetster]

I love the case